Brake mechanism for vehicles



A ia 19, 1921. 1,625,151

- F. w. PICHE .,-BRAKE MECHANISM FQR VEHICLES Filed June 1; 1925 Patented Apr. 19, 192?.

FRANK W. 12163613, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

BRAKE MECHANZSM .EQB. VEHICLES.

Application filed June '3,

The invention relates to vehicles and more particularly to brake n'iec hanism for the same, one object of the inventionbeing to provide a practical and advantageous mechanism of this character operating in a convenient .iuanner for braking'the tractive wheels or members of a vehicle simulaneously as in controlling the speed of the vehicle. or for braking the wheels individually and selectively as useful under certain conditions.

Another object is the provision of such a mechanism particularly adapted for use with motor vehicles having a pair of differentially driven wheels, for not only braking both wheels simultaneously, but also restrainingthe drive through a selected one of the wheels to direct the driving force to the other wheel, as frequently desirable. for example. where one of the wheels is ditched, enter some other reason has lost its grip upon the ground.

A further ob 'ect is to provide a vehicle having braking mechanism with locking means therefor operative exclusively while the brake mechanism is adjusted for braking both wheels together, so that as a matter of safety the brake cannot be locked on either of the wheels alone.

r till a further object is to provide brake control means comprising a control element movable to different positions for selectively braking either or both of the wheels and having also an actuating movement for applying the brakes in the different selected po sitions. together with an advantageous lockinodevice for the element operating excluively in the position of the latter for braking both wheels and also serving; to releasably retain the element in such selected position. the locking device being: releasable from cooperation with the element when it is desired to position the latter for braking the wheels individually.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts. all as will be hereinafter more fully described. the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

in the drawinn's:

F mirc l is a side elevation of a mechanism embodying the present invention with the door of the vehicle to which it is applied shown in section;

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same 1925. Serial No. 33,954..

substantially as viewed from the line 2 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 8 -3 in Figure l but with the parts in a different position;

Figure 4: is an enlarged sectional plan view on the line li -l in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a shift bar detached V Figure 6 is a sectional plan taken on line 66 of Figure 1, and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the mechanism applied to a vehicle.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The present application is a continuation in part of an application filed by me December 26, 1923, bearing- Serial No. 682 605.

The preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed by way of illustration of the principles involved. shows the appli cation thereof to a vehicle having brake mechanism for its tractive wheels or members actuated by the usual brake rods extendins: forwardly adjacent the drivers seat,

where the control mechanism is installed in an opening in the floor as in the case of the emergency brake mechanism in common use in automobiles. The invention comprises, generally speaking, a control element or lever having a selective movement to position the same for cooperation with the brakes to actuate the latter either individually and selectively or both together, and provided with a device for holding or looking the lever after actuation in its position for simultaneously applying both brakes, the

locking device being inoperative when the lever is shifted to position for actuating the brakes individually. so that the brake cannot be locked in application to either wheel separately.

Referring more particularly to the drawingz's, there is shown at 10. Figure 1, the floor of a vehicle below which is represented generally at 11 any suitable supporting means such as a bracket or a portion of the frame of the car. Mounted on this means and secured thereto as by a bolt 12 is a substantially L shaped bracket 13 and also a bracket arm 14 for supporting the various parts of the control mechanism below an opening 15 in the floor through which extends the control element, preferably a lever 16.

The invention is applicable to different types of hralres such as the wheel drum and hralte hand type. and the usual brake rods are represented at 1? as .xtending lorwardly 'tt'Olll the rear wheels to the hrahe control tnecluminn'n heingr pivotally connected at their forward ends as nt: [8 to the rear ende rcwspectively ol a pair of shift rode or here l 9 and ill] sliding longitiulinally in a 'arriagre or holder 't'orn'ied at the. lower horizmitaltv disposed end o'l hraeltet 15. Brake release sprin may he providt-id at any desired point& for example. no shown at 17" in il ie'ure T. or within the hr: he drains if preferred. The horizontal bucket portion 21 has upstanding posts .32 at its corners. the rear pair of such posts being of less; height than the forward pai' as shown. The posts are connected adjacent their upper ends hv transverse hars 12-53 hetween which and the h'aoltet portion .21 the hare 19 and i0 slide in contact with each other inside the posts L2. 'lhtne hare are shifted forwardly in the carriage either together or individlnilly for braking: hot'h wheels simultaneously or either one thereof as desired.

The shitt liars have in addition to the rear portions 2-1 to which the hrnhe rods are at tached. an intermediate socket: portion havingr in the present instance an ahutn ent or shoulder 2: and it rearwardly extending wall or wine; in at the outer time of the he Each bar is provided also at its opposite side with a wall 2" of the height of shoulder 25 and extending from the latte adjacent; the forward end of the bar which is afforded by conetrtu'tiirethe bar with a thickened forard end equal in height; to the shoulder. The shi l't bars are thus adapted for coope tion with a selector portion 98 on the lower end of the control lever ltl. The latter. as herea liter deserihcd, iSsnppoi-ted intermediate its ends 'lor unive 'sal movement: whereby the selector portion may he shifted transsre selv into engagementwith the shoulder of either of the shift here as illustrated in Figures 3 and -il, or positioned centrally in engaggreinent with the shoulders of both hers nininltaneonely. as shown in Figure 9. The wine :26 and shoulder o't each nhi'lt: har :t'orin together a SOClKOt) for the reception of the selector portion t oil the lever. serving to guide the latter in its transverse movements. Upwardly projecting stop pins 2.) limit the .rea'ward movement of the Shift l ars to normal position when in engagement with the "ront transverse bar The control lever 16 is in the present inetance termed intermediate its ends with a hall portion 30 working in a socket 3t oi" the usual or any suitahle variety on an arm 32 projection' from the bracket 13. lnit 0t course the lever ma he otherwiee. suitahlv supported for the desired movement thereof. comprising the selective n'loveinent; substantially about an axis trz'ina'veree thereto, to position the lever as already described. for cooperation with either or hoth oi? the shift liars. and also a l'orward and, rear actuating movement lor tltl'li-ltlil1 either har scpa- Intel or until at the same time as may he do aired. The lever is pulled rearwardly at. its upper end to move its lower selector portion llll'V'tlltlif; to actuate the hrahc. snitnhle spring lacuna :aaeh as ehown at. 1.7 acting on the lHfllit rode -er\'in r to return the parts to normal inoperative posithm.

lt is deri'irnl' le ol' coure e in mechanism of thia cha actor to provide tor releasahlv holding or locking the mechanism with the liltllflfi applied to hoth wheels siinnttane Ol1Sl as For example where it is desired to hold the car stationary on an incline. lt. would he execodingrlv dangerous: however to lock the hralte on a single one of the wheels litt'illlbt oi the renult to otl'cct ot suddenly veering the car out ol its course. through the retardat ion of one wheel. and increased drivinn toree applied to the other. It is in tact nnncceeaarv to provide means ,t'or locking the hralcea on one wheel at a time as in thirs selective use the inetdianieni can he conveniently controlled entirely hjv hand. It haa accordionly licen tound leanihle to so con ntrnct the mechanism that; it may he loci-zed in position tor lll'tllillll) hoth wheels hut; not tor hrnhingr a single wheel alone and the invention provides :1 onto reliable and other wire 2l l\i\l1it! 1't(m8 device to' accomplishing this desirable result.

The locking: device for the mechanism is "arried h the hracltct artn ll: which in formed with an openiinr $33 'hroug'h which the lerer lo extends. The arm 11.5 at each (it its Forward corners a post ill and hetween the. upper ends oi these posts a Spindle 35 i ivotallv supports the forward end of a Ll-sl urine of which are provided on the nnoer tartar-e with rtairwardlv inclined ratchet teeth 12 shown. The intchet inemher nay he swung l' rom the inactive position shown in dotted lines in Figure l to the active position shown in tall lines; in which it tltlllltlt'tS lerer 1.6. To this position th ratchet ineinher tEOtJEltBl'til'ttt with a pawl I)? carried at the lower end ot' a spring actuated rod 38 guided on and extending upwardly ot the lever into pivotal connection at 1-39 with a hand-piece ll) pivoted adiarent the upper end o'l the .ever as at l-l tor controlling: inovein nt oi the i :rwl toward and from the ratchet. lhe. ratchet sector is pretcrahlr urged to its inactive pofiition hy spring means -12 coiled ahoutits opindle 3 the Sector heint secured in the active poxition shown in a latch 43 pivoted at -l--l hetwcen upstanding poet's if on the rear end or" hraelcet arnl ll. A spring lt normally urges the latch to position for engagement with mood or hil'urcatcd nicniher 36. one or hot i IOU the ratchet sector but when the latch is moved by the foot of the operator, for e2-:- ample, to release the sector, the latter swings auton'iatically to inactive position.

It is apparent from the abov: construc tion that with the lever ll in normal position for braking both wheels. ratcl'iet sector 36 may be moved to and secured in position for locking cooperation with the lever and for retaining the latter in such normal posi tion. in which arrangement of the parts itis impossible to bake the wheels individiuilly. hen, however. it is desired to apply the brake to the wheels selectively. as tor example to retard a wheel which spins idly through failure to grip the ground and to thereby direct the driving force into the op posite wheel. the operator trips the latch 43 so that the ratchet sector is moved to in active position. This trees lever 16 for selective movement to engage the shift bars individually after which the lever may be moved to actuate and apply the brake to the selected wheel for as long a period as neces sary, the lever being at such times free for rapid operation with such force as may be required without interference by the locking device. lVhen the lever released after such use the mechanism returns of course to normal position under the action of the brake releasing springs 17. lVhen such selective operation of the mechanism has accomplished its purpose lever 16 is again moved to its.normal central position and so re tained by relatching the ratchet sector in active position.

Means is also provided for automatically returning the lever or control member 16 to normal position. as shown in Figure 2, after release from either selective braking position and subsequent to the realignment of the shoulders 25 on the shiit bars 19 and 520, which is automatically etlected by the springs 17 as will be understood. T he means provided for the lateral or transverse return movement of the lever to central position comprises one or more springs -l7. preterably two, which are conveniently shown as leaf springs extended on the opposite sides ol the lever below the locking bar 36, but which may be disposed at any point suitable for accomplishing the desired results. The springs 4:? are preferably supported by the lugs carrying the pivot pin ll of the latch 43 and are secured to the lugs by rivets 48 as shown in Figure (5. The springs 17 and 4t? both act to return the lever from the braking position corresponding to that shown by dotted lines in Figure 1 and in section in Figure at, which is one of the selective brake applying positions from which the lever will be returned autmnatically when released by the operator with. the lock bar 36 in the dotted line position shown in Fig ure 1. How ver, the lever when released from the position at which it is efi'ective to apply both sets of brakes will be returned by the springs 1'? alone it the pawl 37 is kept in release position by the operator.

While the invention has been described as applied to the control o l' vehicle brakes. it is obvious that it is capable of a 'iplicatiou also to other apjairatus. such. for example as tractors of the variety steered by the difvterential application oil power to the traction members. and the exemplary embodiment herein disclosed is of course capable ol various modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invent on 1. An apparatus of the character described comprising separate brakes for a: pair of traction members, a control element for said brakes having a selective movement to position the same for cooperation with either of said brakes individually -or with both thereof simultaneously and also an actuating movement for actuating e ther or both of said brakes in accordance with said selective movement, and a device tor releasa'bly locking said element in adjusted brake actuating position operative exclusively when said element is positioned tor actuating both brakes simultaneously.

2. The combination with a vehicle having steering wheels and a pair of traction wheels provided with separate brake means, control mechanism tor said brake means adjustable selectively for cooperation with either of said means individually or with both thereof together and movable to actuate either or both of said means in accordance with said selective adj ustment. and a relcasable locking device tor said mechanism operative during said movement taereot tor actuating both (it said means together but inoperative during said movement oi the mechanism for actuating said means individually.

3. The combination with a vehicle having steering wheels and repair of wheels provided with separate brake means, of a control lever for said brake means having a selective movement to position the same for cooperation with either of said means individually or with both thereof together and also an actuating movement for actuating either, or both of said means together in accordance with said selective movement and a device operative to releasably lock said lever in adjusted position when the latter is moved to actuate said means together but inoperative when said lever is moved to actuate either o l? said means individually.

4-. The combination with a motor vehicle having a pair of di'lierenti ally driven whee s provided with separate brakes. oi a' control lever for said brakes having a swinging movement su-betanfially about an axis transverse thereto for cooperation selectively with Eli) Iii

either oi saiii iiwahes hajiiviihiaitv or with lioth thereot Siiiiliiitll'iQtilifilfi. and also a aeeonii movement for actuating either or hoth ot saiii hrakes as: velertezl l;i v Stiiti first moveinei'it. ainl a ifieviee tor reieaaahi'v iorl-:-- ine :iaiii lever in aiiinsit ii hralie artiiatin l position operative exUnn-ivel when t ttiti lever Vie posit ioneii 'i'or :retnatinghoth of Hil l hrahes niniiilianeonely.

Ii. The eolniiination with a vehiele having; a pair oi wheoie nrovi .eii with weiarate liliihQ means. 0 eontroi :neei anion tor Htiili means aiiinstal le releeiivei tor 'oo ierat'ioi with either of s ai mean iililiYitiliZi'iif, or with hoth thereoi' to 'ether :iitii inovahie to artnaie either or hoth oi saiil means together in m-eoriianee with ea ii i eleetive ailinatnient. anti a iorlzinii' ile\ i e or eaiii liiiifiitiiiihiii ailjnatah e to operative :rnil inoperative posh t onr amt serving in airiil operative position to maintain said inerhz iFiii in iiliiiiiiiiitiii. tor eo-oiieraiion with he 1 ol' Fiziki means to- ;geiher exrlnsivei s.

(i. The eoniiiination with a vehirle having}; a pair of wheels: iroviiieii with he m ate hra'lze means. of a rontrol lever having: a sohretive movement to i-zsition the same tor eooperation with e ther oi mitt means iiitliitiiially or \viih both thereoi together anti :ilao an aei iatin r movement to artnate either or hoih oi Stiiti means in tlt'ijtlliliiiiUO with said ieiertive movement. a pawi on 'ii'it' i lever. and a ratehet niovahie towarii amt from active poaition relative to said pawi and lever when the hitter is inoveii to the poa tion UXLfliiSiYtl) tor :ietnatine' lioth oi. eaiil mean. together anil, operatin i' in saii aetive position to retain saiii iever in. position tor aetnating: hoth oi s aiiii means.

T. ihe eoinhination with a -vehicle having a pair oi wheeis nroviiieii with separate lirehe means. of a eonttroi iever inounteii tor nniveri rl i'novenient anii having a seleetor portion adapted to'he hronght h v :aneh moveinenti .--eleeiivei to iiOF-itiiuil ior aetnatiin a iiher oi Raid hrahe ineriiiz indivithiail v or with hoih i'hereoii to; :'ether a pawl on :iaii! fever. iiiiti a. ii'i raieai ratrhei: inovahle to' want anti train aetive ioaitiolii tor einina'einfl' Hiliti Fever in roartion with eaizl 'iawi when tio ne i i'or ai'inating g' hoth oi.

rhiii neans toirether tillt szeiw'ii'iej in said ii a l lever is or? i i :n: ive position to ,lll'iii'ti {1312i retain saiii lever n saiii oeition it'or aetnatingr hoth oi raiii nieanii.

ti. The core i nation with a vel'ieie traine iil\iii,l a -air ot traetio i ireiniera anti :1

Hiit

hrahe i'or eaeh ol' the ireni ere, 31H oiiei'atin liiiliiitt. sehietiveiy' one: i ie eontrol, nieaii;

tor eonnet y he o teialiine niemher with either iii 8 .il iii'iiiitR, :iliti reieaisahle loeirii means for the operating ineni A a flaptezi when in ioeliing' nmitiim to prevent Htiitiift? o ierat on o one eontrol means liii'i permitting); Sililiiii'tiiitiiiih' operation oi said ifil'iliitlfr'.

ii The eoinhinatioo with a vehieie tranio having: :1 pair (ii traeiion nIeinlLiersi and a hralw i'or earh oi the inonihm'a an operat in i; ineini'ier. r-elertivelv anti fiitiltilih nlovalilo o airaiion o said eonw; uniting simultaneous o il i i Emilie.

i i v to prevent wiirtive l iievirru oration oi' ii iii. "the eoinl inaiion with a vehii'le i'rziine having a pair of iraetion nieriherh anti :1 lii'tihO 't'or eaeh oi the llltliiliijih. an oper; tiing iioflii iti t-titftfi'iYt'hi' operahie control devices i'or iron iiin the operiting ineinlior with either oi' said liraliea, anti relearalilo looking; means tor the operating nieinher aiia 'ilieil when in one position to permit iaiii operating; nieinher Said control. iievirira, lint girovenii'i i aeieetivo operation oi' the mine an l ml: it'eii when in another position to p rmit w elive operation anti to prevent loriiiii i' ot' either hrahe in service posit ion.

ii. The eonihination with a vehicle frame having a air oi? lraetion nlenihers anti a l ralie i'or earh oi the nieiiihors, an operating naeniher mounted {or inoven'ienti in rlili'orent planes, wieetively operalile control devices i'or ronnlin ij the operating? inenjiher with eiiher 0i saii l brakes and releaaahie loehing means or the operating ineniher adapted when in one position to limit the )erating nieinher to movement: in a single piano whereby to eti'ec't operation oi hoth of Haiti 'ontrol ti("i'it'0r5, and adapted when in another position to permit; HHJVUUIODt oi. the

10 urinate hoth ol' vieeri.

ii. The i-o-nihiiiation with a vehirle having,- steering wheels tillti a pair oi traetion. Wheels provided. with sei arzrt e hi'alce means control ineehanii-rni t'or riiiti liraivo means adjustable FtitliiYUif 'l'or ooperation with either 0t vsaii' nieaiw iniiiviih ail i' or with hotli thereof together and inovahio to aetnate either or hotih oi 5-; i iiltilirin aeeorilanee with said seieeti've asiiraiineni lll'iii a ioeking' ileviee 't'or Fttiiii ine -haniain inova ie to operative and ino wrat ve nos'ritioni-s anr l nroviiloil with means; for niovino; the Hiillt to inoperative position when Ftliii nieehaniani is: filiili1-i9fi tor et'ioneration with eiti er ol' said means iniiviihnill v.

iii. The ronihination with a vehirio having); steering wheeis anti a pair oii ill'tlt't'iOll wheels iroviaieii i-invite hrahe ineaai-w, control nieehanii m t'or iiti hrahe means :nijnsttahle seieetiveiy i'or eooperation vith either o'l iti means" in-li-.'i in:ili i' or with liolrh thereoili *iher anti inovahle to aetaalio either or iii oi said means in aeeordanee with said eetive aiijiim'rnent a locking device for lllil said mechanism movable to operative and inoperative positions and provided with means for automatically moving the same to inoperative position by the adjustment of said mechanism for cooperation with said means individually.

14. The combination with a vehicle hav ing steering Wheels and a pair of traction wheels provided with separate brake means, control mechanism for said brake means adjustable selectively for cooperation with either of said means individually or with both thereof together and movable to actuate either or both of said means in accordance with said selective adjustment, and a pawl and quadrant ratchet for releasably locking said mechanism having a relative movement to operative and inoperative positions and provided with means for efiecting said movement to inoperative position when said mechanism is adjusted for cooperation with said means individually.

15. The combination with a vehicle frame having. a pair of traction members and a brake for each of the members, an adjustable operating member, selectively operable control means for coupling the operating member with either of said brakes and releasable .locking means for the operating member adapted to be rendered inoperative by the selective operation of said control means to prevent locking of said operating member when coupled with said brakes individually.

16. The combination with a vehicle frame having a pair of traction members, an operating member, selectively operable control devices for coupling the operating member with said brakes, and a locking device for the operating member embodying spaced members adapted to extend on opposite sides of the operating member to prevent movement of the same to selective brake applying position and movable to permit adjustment of the operating member to engage and actuate either of said control devices.

17. An apparatus of the character described, comprising separate brakes for a pair of traction members, a control element for said brakes having a selective movement to position the same for cooperation with either of said brakes individually or with both thereof simultaneously, and also an actuating movement for actuating either or both of said brakes in accordance with said selective movement, a device for releasably locking said element in adjusted brake actuating position operated exclusively when said element is positioned for actuating both brakes simultaneously and means for automatically returning said control element to normal position when released from selective braking position.

18. The combination with a vehicle having steering wheels and a pair of traction wheels provided with separate brake means,

control mechanism for said brake means adjustable selectively for cooperation with either of said means individually orwith both together and movable to actuate either or both of said means in accordance with said selective adjustment, a releasable locking device for said mechanism operative during said movement thereof for actuating both of said means together, but inoperative during said movement of the mechanism for actuating said means individually and means for automat cally returning said control mechanism to normal position when released from selective braking position.

19. The combination with a vehicle having a pair of wheels provided with separate brake means, of control mechanism for said means adjustable selectively for cooperation with either of said means individually or with both thereof together and movable to actuate either or both of said means together in accordance with said selective adjustment, a locking device for said mechanism adjustable to operative and inoperative positions and serving in said operative position to maintain said mechanism in adjustment for cooperation with both of said means together exclusively, and means for automatically returning said control mechanism to normal position when released with the locking device at inoperative position.

20. The combination with a vehicle frame having a pair of traction members and a brake for each of the members, an operating member, selectively operable control means for coupling the operating member with either 01 said brakes, releasable locking means for the operating member adapted when in looking position to prevent selective operation of said control means and means adapted to automatically return the operating member to normal position when released from selective braking position.

21. The combination with a vehicle frame having a pair of traction members and a brake for each of the members, an operating member, selectively operable control devices for coupling the operating member with said brakes, releasable locking means for the operating member adapted when in one position to permit said operating member to actuate both of said control devices, but preventing selective operation of the same and adapted when in another position to permit selective operation and to prevent locking of either brake in selective position, and means adapted to automatically return the operating member to normal position when released from selective braking position.

22. The combination with a vehicle frame having a pair of traction members and a brake for each of the members, an operating member mounted for movement in dit ferent planes, selectively operable control devices for coupling the operating member ill) with said bl'liliCl-, releasable locking means for the operating; member :16 :ipteil when in one position to limit the operating member to movement in :1 single plane \vhereb to etit'ect operation of both of said control. He vices, and adapted when in another position to permit moven'ient of the operating member in (lil'lerent planes to :illorci selective operation of the control devices, and means adapted to antomzitienlly return the operating member to normal position when reliiHGL'l from selective braking position.

23. The eombinntion with :1 vehicle l rznno having :1 pair oi traction members and a brake :tor each 01 snitl 1nen1bei.':-;, a. pair of brake operating members having transverse! extending nlnitments, guiding; means for said l'l'lOlllbOl's permitting longitudinal movement of the some and serving to llUltl them against lateral movement and 11 con trol. element for said operating; members ilirongh which either one is rendered inel :teetive by movement o't said element with respect to said :ibnlunonts saiil elen'ient being adapted in one poeition to engage both :ibntmei'itn to permit eimuliinneons application ol' the brakes nntl being movable from the last mentioned position directly in :1, single transverse plane into selective operatim' position with respect to either abutment. Bl. The combination with a vehicle frame having a pair of traction members and :i lnnke toleach ol? eniil members, it pair of slli'l'li lOtlS operative-iv oonneeteil with Sllltl brakes, i'ontrol means for said rod-1 through which either one is rendered inelleetive by movement oi sniil mean; to tliliei'ent positione, Szlltl ionti'ol menm: lnivii'ig one position poi-milling simnlizmeons operation ol the l'OllS and being movable from the lust mentioned position to either oi? the other positions in 21 single plnne, nnil relenszible looking means lor mid control means movable llliltlPGlHllfl]lily ol? the latter to release position.

FRANK W. P101113. 

